Pietersen Guides England Beat Pakistan by 6 wickets

Barbados: Kevin Pietersen hit an unbeaten 52-ball 70 as England beat Pakistan by six wickets in their Super Eights clash of the Twenty20 World Cup in Barbados.

After having restricted their opponents to an average total, England chased down the target in 19.3 overs. Lumb (25) and Kieswetter (25) provided the right kind of start. Pietersen (70* off 52) stayed there right till the end to ensure that his side did not crumble in the final overs as Pakistan tightened the screws slightly.

It's a huge set-back for the defending champions. A good looking England side crush Pakistan by 6 wickets to start off their Super Eights campaign with a win.

Kevin Pietersen was awarded the Man of the Match for his unbeaten knock. He says his ankle is fine and when you win, injuries don't worry. Paul Collingwood said that it was a good win. He is happy with the way his boys performed. Some of the positives for his side are that the openers are doing their bit, bowlers looking good and all-in-all they are quite confident.

Shahid Afridi felt his side missed quite a few opportunites which they can't afford to at this stage. Fielding remains a bit of worry but he is still confident of going through.

Pietersen reached his half-century off 37 balls as England chased down the 148-run target with three balls to spare.

Saeed Ajmal dropped three catches but had Michael Lumb (25) stumped by Kamran Akmal after England got a brisk start in pursuit of 148.

Umar Akmal took a good catch at long-on to dismiss Craig Kieswetter (25) and reduce England to 65/2.

England then lost captain Paul Collingwood but were on the path of victory courtsey Pietersen who hit his shots with such ease it seemed like he was having a net session.

Pietersen's knock was studded with 2 sixes and 7 fours and was enough to earn him the Man of the Match award.

Earlier, Stuart Broad, Michael Yardy and Ryan Sidebottom took 2 wickets each as England restricted Pakistan to 147/9.

England would have restricted Pakistan to a lesser score but they conceded ten extras and Sidebottom gave away 15 runs in the last over.

Pakistan got off to a brisk start with Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal putting up an opening stand of 31 runs before Broad had Akmal caught behind by Craig Kieswetter off a short delivery.

Pakistan then lost Butt, Mohammad Hafeez and captain Shahid Afridi in quick succession to be in a spot of bother.

Afridi was run out on the first ball as the defending champions were reduced to 77/4 in 10.4 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq was clean bowled while attempting a reverse sweep off Michael Yardy after getting a start.

Butt top scored for Pakistan with a 26-ball 34 and Umar Akmal contributed with a 25-ball 30.

Brief scores
Pakistan 147 for 9 (Butt 34, Yardy 2-19)
England 148 for 4 (Pietersen 70*)
Result England won by six wickets
MOM Kevin Pietersen (England)